Beyonce’s Camp Responds To Harry Belafonte’s Criticism

Harry Belafonte‘s criticism of Hollywood’s power couple Beyonce and Jay-Z did not fall on deaf ears. A spokesperson for the singer has responded to the 85-year-old singer/humanitarian’s claims that she doesn’t do enough to help the world.

When asked about today’s image of Black Hollywood, Belefonte told The Hollywood Reporterthat he was not happy with its current state. He explained:

“It is sad. And I think one of the great abuses of this modern time is that we should have had such high-profile artists, powerful celebrities. But they have turned their back on social responsibility. That goes for Jay-Z and Beyonce, for example. Give me Bruce Springsteen, and now you’re talking. I really think he is black”

But in a recent e-mail to The Wall Street Journal, a representative for Beyonce responded with “an abbreviated list of the unselfish work Beyonce has done and continues to do.”

The list included co-founding The Survivor Foundation (“a multi-purpose community outreach facility in downtown Houston”), donating $100,000 in 2008 to the Gulf Coast Ike Relief Fund to aid Texas victims of Hurricane Ike and performing in MTV’s Hope For Haiti Now! Benefit, among other “charitable activities.”

Ironically, the “Love on Top” singer was named ambassador for World Humanitarian Day on August 19. On Friday, she performed her song “I Was Here” in the United Nations General Assembly Hall in New York City.